Google Debuts New Nexus 7

At a special event hosted by Android and Chrome chief Sundar Pichai yesterday, Google unveiled its updated Nexus 7 tablet. The new tablet boasts the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, a class-leading 1920×1200 display pushing out 323PPI pixel density and also a 5MP main camera (finally!).

Google has improved the new Nexus 7 all round, with a design that’s thinner, lighter and with a smaller bezel than its predecessor. The tablet is as portable as it comes – measuring just 0.3-inch thin and measuring 7.9-inches x 4.5-inches. One thing you’ll notice on the back is the horizontally positioned Nexus logo as opposed to on in vertical orientation previously. Is Google placing emphasis on more horizontal-orientated content? Perhaps.

The new Nexus 7 packs a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor running at 1.5Ghz, with onboard 2GB RAM and 16 or 32GB storage options. The processor is claimed to be 1.8 times faster in terms of processing power, and has four times the GPU performance via the Adreno 320 GPU. Not the fastest processor/GPU in the market but no slouch either. Importantly, Android 4.3 comes with OpenGL ES: 3.0 which supports higher-quality reflections and lens flares. Tablet gamers should be chuffed by this.

Google claims better battery life of up to 9 hours of HD video playtime and 10 hours of web browsing. This is achieved with a bigger battery, and much improved power management with the latest Android 4.3 update.

While not groundbreaking, the Nexus 7 comes with a 5MP main camera, and so finally, users can actually start Instagram-ing, and not struggling to do it with the front camera (doh!). Rejoice!

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, A-GPS with Glonass comes built-in. An LTE version is also available. The device also supports wireless charging using an Qi-compatible charger.

The 16GB Wi-Fi only version retail at $229, 32GB Wi-Fi-only model at $269. An unlocked 32GB 4G LTE version will retail for $349. Wi-Fi models are available in the US on July 30. LTE edition and global models will be available in coming weeks.